- Joint Commission accredited
- Two AZ centers
- Ages 12-17
- Admissions 24/7
Residential treatment for teen self-harm in Phoenix, AZ.
For a Phoenix family, the closest residential program for a teen who is cutting or self-injuring is already inside the Valley. Nexus Teen Academy treats adolescents 12 to 17 full time in two north-metro homes, minutes from central Phoenix, with awake staff on every shift and a safety plan written the day your teen arrives.
- Free & confidential · No obligation · (480) 485-3424
- 4.7 Google · 37 reviews
- AZDHS-licensed residential facility
- Most major private insurance accepted
- Free consultation
- Counselor online now
A licensed counselor answers day or night, reviews what your family has already tried, and tells you honestly whether residential care fits, with no script and no pressure to decide on the call.
- It's now where you are · typical callback under 10 minutes.
- Secure, private, and HIPAA-protected. By submitting you agree to be contacted about care; message/data rates may apply.
- 4.7 Google · 37 reviews
- Joint Commission accredited
Every credential is independently verifiable. Joint Commission · AZDHS registry · LegitScript.


Joint Commission accreditedAZDHS-licensed · LegitScript certifiedAbout Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy: full-time teen self-harm treatment built for Phoenix families.
Nexus Teen Academy is a licensed, Joint Commission accredited residential program for teen self-harm, serving Phoenix and the wider Maricopa County. We work with 12 to 17 year olds who cut, burn, scratch, or hit themselves, and we treat the depression, anxiety, and trauma that usually sit underneath the behavior. Live-in care fills the gap between a weekly therapist and a hospital stay, giving your teen structure, supervision, and daily skills practice.
Both homes sit in the north Phoenix metro, the boys' residence in North Scottsdale and the girls' residence in Cave Creek, a straight run up the SR-51 or Loop 101 for most Valley families. Care is AZDHS licensed, Joint Commission accredited, and LegitScript certified.
Nexus Teen Academy provides residential treatment for teen self-harm for families from Phoenix, Arizona, for ages 12 to 17. Teens live in a licensed home in North Scottsdale (boys) or Cave Creek (girls) with daily therapy, accredited school on site, and weekly family therapy. Most stay 30 to 60 days, and the team works with AHCCCS and most private insurance.
North Scottsdale
Boys, 12-17 · Phoenix metro
Cave Creek
Girls, 12-17 · Phoenix metro
Accredited Arizona centers
Ages we treat, gender-separate
Awake clinical staff, every hour
A primary therapist, by name
Secure form · About 2 minutes · Free, no obligation
Our admissions team will reach out to you soon. Here’s what happens next:
- An admissions counselor contacts you, free and confidential
- If you asked about coverage, we check your benefits with your insurer
- You get honest answers and clear next steps, with no obligation
Where residential care fits: IOP, PHP or residential
The subacute level between weekly therapy and a hospital bed.
Therapy once or a few times a week. Your teen stays home and at school.
Live-in clinical care with 24/7 awake staff, daily therapy, and accredited school, in a real home.
You are hereShort-term acute stabilization for immediate medical or safety crisis.
| Question | Intensive outpatient (IOP) | Partial hospitalization (PHP) | Residential (RTC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | A step down from PHP, or a starting point for teens who need more than weekly therapy | A step down from residential care, or a starting point for teens who need structure without 24/7 care | Teens who need 24/7 care in a safe, immersive setting |
| Where your teen sleeps | At home | At home each evening | A licensed, home-like residence with 24/7 awake staff |
| Weekly schedule | About 4 hours a day (10:30 to 2:30 or 1:00 to 5:00), 3 to 4 days a week | Several days a week, multiple hours a day | Daily therapy, with care around the clock |
| Typical length | 30 to 90+ days | 30 to 90 days | 30 to 60 days |
| School | Stays in school; IOP is therapy-focused, with no academic support | Daily schoolwork time in a classroom, with educators on staff | Accredited, credit-bearing classes on site |
| Family | Weekly individual therapy and family counseling every other week | Family therapy sessions included | Weekly family therapy, in person or by secure video |
IOP and PHP run at NexStep Teen Academy, the Nexus outpatient program in Scottsdale for teens ages 12 to 17.
Not sure which level your teen needs? A licensed counselor will walk through it with you on the phone, free, and tell you honestly if a lower level of care is the better fit.
Speak with our admissions teamThe program
How the Phoenix teen self-harm program actually works, piece by piece.
Every teen in our care follows the same backbone: a safety plan drawn from a real risk assessment, therapy aimed at what drives the self-injury, and family work built into a predictable daily routine, reviewed each week against what staff actually observe.
Structured risk assessment
A DSM-5 informed psychiatric evaluation and a formal C-SSRS suicide-risk screen come first, so the line between self-injury and suicidal intent is clear before any plan is set.
A written safety plan
A chain analysis maps your teen's specific triggers, urges, and what the behavior relieves; the plan targets those exact links and is shared with you in full.
Individual therapy, daily
One-to-one sessions with the same clinician every day rather than a single weekly hour, so momentum never resets.
Group coping-skills work
Daily groups build distress tolerance, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills, practiced with peers who understand.
Weekly family therapy
Parents learn validation and how to respond to setbacks, in person or by secure video, so progress holds once your teen is home in Phoenix.
Medication management
A psychiatric nurse practitioner treats any underlying depression or anxiety, with your consent at every change.
Accredited on-site school
Small classes with transferable credit keep your teen current, so returning to their Phoenix-area school is one less hurdle.
Discharge & re-entry plan
Warning signs, the family response to each, a home therapist booked before discharge, and a staged return to school and daily life.
- Dual-diagnosis care, depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harm & substance use, together
Dual-diagnosis care
What sits under the cutting: the conditions we treat alongside teen self-harm.
Self-injury almost never stands on its own. By the time a Phoenix family starts weighing residential care, the cutting has usually tangled up with depression, anxiety, unprocessed trauma, or a harsh inner voice, each one feeding the next.
Treat the behavior without touching what fuels it and the urges keep returning. Nexus Teen Academy puts one clinical team and one written plan around the self-harm and everything driving it at once, all under a single north-metro roof rather than scattered across separate providers.
Primary condition: self-harm & NSSI
Everything below is handled in one plan, by one team, under one roof.
Teen anxiety treatment
The alarm that never switches off.
Teen substance abuse treatment
Self-medication that took over.
Teen ADHD treatment
Focus, impulse control, school.
Teen suicidal ideation treatment
Assessed daily, never left alone.
Safety firstTeen depression treatment
Withdrawal and mood collapse.
Teen bipolar disorder treatment
Mood swings that need a diagnosis.
Teen behavioral issues treatment
Defiance, aggression, running.
Teen trauma & PTSD treatment
Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance.
Teen ODD treatment
Arguing, defiance, constant conflict.
Teen anger issues treatment
Blow-ups that frighten the family.
- Whatever your teen is facing, care stays coordinated in one integrated plan, one clinical team, and one residential setting.
The setting
Step inside the Phoenix-area homes where the urges finally settle.
Two gender-separate residences anchor the program in the north Valley, the boys' home in North Scottsdale and the girls' home about twenty minutes further north in Cave Creek, both close enough that Phoenix parents stay part of the week.
Take a self-guided 3D walkthrough of the home
Life inside
What a day of residential self-harm treatment looks like.
Structure does a lot of the healing. Each day at both Valley homes keeps the same shape, wake-up, school, therapy, movement, meals, and sleep, so a teen who felt out of control finds solid ground.
-
MorningHygiene, meds & breakfast
Hygiene and meds from 6:30 to 7:30, then breakfast from 7:30 to 8:00.
-
MorningGratitude journal & education
A gratitude journal from 8:00 to 8:20, then education from 8:30 to 10:45 and a snack at 10:45.
-
MorningGroup therapy & lunch
Group therapy from 11:00 to 12:00, then lunch and mindfulness from 12:00 to 1:00.
-
AfternoonGroup therapy
Group therapy from 2:00 to 3:00, a snack at 3:00, then group therapy again from 3:15 to 4:00.
-
AfternoonMovement, dinner & evening activity
Movement with nursing from 4:15 to 5:00, dinner at 5:00, then evening activity and meds from 6:00 to 7:00.
-
EveningFree time & lights out
Free time from 7:00 to 8:30, evening hygiene from 8:30 to 9:00, gratitude journal at 9:00 and lights out at 9:30.
Weekends run differently
Saturday and Sunday follow a lighter routine than the weekday schedule above.
Click here for a free consultationTap to call (480) 485-3424 and our admissions team will walk you through a full weekend. Someone answers any time.Awake clinical staff are on-site every hour, including overnight, at both Arizona centers.
How healing happens
The therapies behind lasting change: individual, group, and family work.
Nexus Teen Academy folds every evidence-based approach, from individual CBT to weekly family sessions, into one coordinated plan at both north-metro homes, so nothing your Phoenix teen works on happens in isolation.
Core therapies
1
Individual therapy: CBT and TF-CBT
One-to-one CBT and trauma-focused CBT that target the thoughts, low mood, and past hurt feeding the self-injury.
Helps withthought spiralstrauma2
Group work and coping skills
Distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindfulness, rehearsed daily with peers who understand.
Helps withself-harm urgesmood swings3
Family therapy, every week
Weekly sessions that rebuild communication and ready the Phoenix household for a steadier return home.
Helps withthe home they return to
Supporting care, running alongside
Holistic and experiential
Art, movement, and mindful outdoor time that rebuild motivation and a sense of self-worth.
energy & sleepself-worthPsychiatric and medication support
A prescriber evaluates carefully; any medication is weighed case by case, explained fully, and monitored closely.
self-harm that outpatient care cannot keep safeAccredited academics
Weekday classes with credit coordination, so recovery and progress toward graduation move together.
staying on track to graduate
Your teen's clinical team
Meet our licensed clinical team.
Every teen is paired with a named, licensed clinician. Faces, roles, and credentials are shared with families before the first day.
LPC, BC-TMHHannah Carr-Unquera
Executive Director
Leads the clinical program across both homes, licensed in Arizona and board certified in telemental health.
LCSW, DSWDr. Tyler White
Director of Adolescent Clinical Services
Sets the treatment plan each resident’s team works to, and supervises the clinicians who deliver it.
DNP, PMHNP-BCAlexandria Penner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Runs psychiatric evaluation and medication management on-site, so prescribing stays inside the house.
House teamAshley Daniels
Director of Family Services & Education
Runs family services and education across both homes, after directing theatre and teen programs and building liberal-arts residential summer camps for Mount Holyoke College and Bryn Mawr College.
House teamJennifer Inderberg
Education Supervisor
Twenty-five years in education, supervising the accredited school that runs inside each house and the credit transfers back to your district.
House teamMelissa Stockmar
Director of Food Operations
Leads the kitchen team behind the chef-prepared meals, and runs the cooking group where residents learn to feed themselves.
Arizona-licensed clinical team.Every Nexus Teen Academy clinician is licensed in Arizona. Verify any license on the AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners directory.
What families say
What Arizona families say about Nexus Teen Academy.
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Carol TrombinoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Nexus Academy was a wonderful place for my daughter. The staff were amazing and so supportive. They worked with our entire family. Highly recommend Nexus.![]()
Hemella SweattTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sending your child or teen to a residential treatment facility is a difficult and heart-wrenching decision. The team at Nexus Teen Academy was exceptional. Our daughter's therapist was a great fit for her and played a significant role in helping us grow as a family. Family therapy is a crucial part of your child's recovery, and Nexus does an excellent job of involving the family in the healing process. We are grateful for their support in guiding our daughter toward a path of recovery.![]()
S HTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The program at Nexus was a lifesaver for my 15-year-old daughter. After a tough year in and out of different levels of care, my husband and I had truly hit a breaking point and knew a residential facility was needed, but we were adamant about finding a place that was safe, respectful, and loving for our daughter. The entire team at Nexus was caring and engaged from day one, despite my daughter NOT making that easy for the first couple of weeks. There were definitely days in the beginning where we wondered if this was even working, but the team encouraged my husband and me to stay the course, and thank goodness we did. After completing Nexus residential and PHP programs, our daughter has done a complete 180. Her mental health struggles aren't 'magically gone' - but she has learned not to let them control her and our family dynamic is leagues better than where we started. Maybe the craziest part of this whole experience was when she recently acknowledged that she was really struggling before and thanked me for sending her to the program - I almost fainted. All this to say, I can't recommend the team at Nexus enough to any family with a teen who is going through a hard time.![]()
Amanda HayesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Our 12 year old attended Nexus in summer of 2025. I opted for this location due to the reviews from other parents regarding similarly aged children. It's a whole different ballgame when a parent is trying to figure out what is best for their tween, knowing they will have exposure to older teenagers and older problems. That sad, Nexus is such a cohesive program. Our experience has been nothing short of wonderful, given the impossible circumstanes. All staff seems to be personally invested in each child's recovery and wellbeing. Our child left Nexus in a much more healed state than when they went in. I was so nervous about taking this huge step after poor hospital experiences and previous PHP's not being as helpful as we hoped. The staff is on top of relational dynamics in the house, and there is some separation between the younger residents and older ones, while still promoting overall cohesiveness. I feel they did a tremendous job supporting our 12 year old developmentally, bringing out a sense of childhood again. They also masterfully navigated our complicated family dynamic, going above and beyond to ensure our child's needs were met, the program requirements were met, in alignment with our family's needs. In a way, our child's time away at Nexus brought them back to us in a way we hadn't seen in a long time. I am so grateful. The PHP program, as well, is top notch and operates from heart. I would recommend both Nexus RTC and their PHP program to any parent in a similar situation. I have offered to connect with any parent in a similar place, so feel free to inquire about connecting with the staff. I know how terrifying this all is, and while we're not totally out of the woods, our child is currently attending school full time again with 2 evening therapy sessions each week. I attribute this assimilation into developmentally typical structure entirely to the care and support we all received from Nexus staff, from intake to therapy to medical and everyone else involved. Thank you, nexus, for helping our child- and our family- in our healing. I am forever grateful.![]()
AlishaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
When we realized we needed a place for our teen to go longer term it was one of the hardest, scariest things I have been through as a mother. Nexus really made it easier and not quite so scary. They have a really caring staff, the kids love the staff. They truly care about your child, it’s not just another kid in and out of their house. I felt like our family was important and they were focused on what my child needed to help her through this difficult time. There was a lot of ups and downs with this process and we had some really hard times and conversations but the staff was always there to help guide us. I would truly say if you are struggling and your teen needs residential Nexus is an amazing place for treatment. The house is beautiful and it is truly comfortable for the kids. I would definitely recommend Nexus.![]()
Vanessa AnayaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I would like to share that we had a great experience at Nexus Teen Academy. All of the staff is great with communication and assisted us through the process. I am very grateful for all of the resources, help and treatment for my teen throughout their stay. The have an amazing team and would recommend to anyone who needs the help.![]()
Sean HayesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I highly recommend Nexus Teen Academy. The structure, support, and care they provided made a significant impact on my child, and it was also maintainable post-residency. During the residency, I attended a parent group led by the therapists who worked with the kids; where we learned critical skills and distinctions which helped with life afterward. It was also great to be in contact with other parents during this time, and the parenting group was great for this.![]()
Zane BedfordTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Four years ago at the age of 13 my daughter completely stopped participating in school and started to display symptoms of major depression anxiety and an unknown mood disorder.Her attendance at school was greatly impacted in such a way that attending once or twice a week became standard until the age of 16.Alcohol addiction and juvenile legal troubles followed and became common issues up until the moment my daughter entered into Nexus Teen Academy.To be completely honest as a completely broken single parent,after trying many attempts at therapy/medications I had lost hope and had given up on expecting anything could fix the crisis we had been living in for the last for years. Nexus Academy changed my perspective, my daughter completed 33 days and for the first time in years I saw the spark and light come back to her eyes and soul.She left Nexus displaying insight and a desire to get back on track with her education. With all professions , one will find flaws and opportunities for improvement .I believe Nexus understands this and showed an openess to suggestions and constructive criticism.![]()
lily hendersonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Nexus was a life changing experience. I went in at 17 and experienced my 18th in there, to which the staff and residents all made sure I felt special. My goals were formed around gaining a better sense of self identity, self respect, and healing myself from the inside out. All of which happened in ways I never expected. I was shown how healthy communication, empathy in your home life, and phone-free relationships, all shape you as a person. Each and every one of the staff and administrators at Nexus are solely devoted to the children’s lives and well being. If there was ever an issue, i felt confident to go to them about it and it was swiftly handled. It was one of the most difficult goodbyes I have ever experienced in my life, as I grew family-life bonds with every person there. Thank you all!!!!! I appreciate every way you showed up for me and how you supported me in my stay. I will carry this experience with me forever.![]()
Jasmine CarterTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My daughter was referred here after her various visits to psychiatric hospitals.I was so scared to be apart from my child but Nexus made me feel better about my decision because of their loving and welcoming environment. I love everything about this place, they really love the kids and support parents along the way. I appreciate everyone that loved and supported my child while she was at her lowest. I recommend this place to anyone that may feel like they have tried all they can and they do not know what to do next because Nexus will help you with the next steps in your journey.Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 23 reviews
★★★★★
“Nexus Academy was a wonderful place for my daughter. The staff were amazing and so supportive. They worked with our entire family. Highly recommend Nexus.”
★★★★★
“Sending your child or teen to a residential treatment facility is a difficult and heart-wrenching decision. The team at Nexus Teen Academy was exceptional. Our daughter’s therapist was a great fit for her and played a significant role in helping us grow as a family.”Read the full review →
★★★★★
“The program at Nexus was a lifesaver for my 15-year-old daughter. After a tough year in and out of different levels of care, my husband and I had truly hit a breaking point and knew a residential facility was needed.”Read the full review →
These come straight from our public Google Business Profile, anyone can read all 34 and add their own.
Getting started
How admission works, from first call to first day.
- You set the pace, with no pressure to decide
- Clear answers to every clinical and financial question
- An honest recommendation, even if another program is the better fit
1
- Today · 24/7
- ~15 minutes
One calm call
A licensed Nexus admissions counselor listens to what is happening with your teen, what you have already tried, and what worries you most, then says plainly whether residential care is the right level.
- What to have ready: nothing. Just call, questions are welcome, and there is no obligation.
2
- Same day
- Free & confidential
Coverage check
With your go-ahead, we check your benefits directly with your private insurance and put the answer in plain numbers: what is covered, what is not, and the likely out-of-pocket before you decide.
- What you get: your coverage answer, usually the same day, every option mapped, including in-network and out-of-network paths.
3
- Within 24-48 hrs
- Licensed clinicians
Clinical assessment
Our clinicians assess your teen's history, safety, and strengths in depth, then confirm whether our program matches the need or point you toward a better fit.
- Your input matters: what you have seen at home is a key part of the clinical assessment.
4
- Within days
- Named coordinator
Plan the arrival
One coordinator handles the logistics with you, the packing list, the short drive into the north Valley, school records for credit transfer, and exactly how day one will unfold.
- No surprises: you will have the packing list, schedule, and your coordinator's direct line in writing.
5
- Welcome day
- Never out of the loop
A gentle, planned arrival
Your teen meets the team and settles in. Your first family update is booked before you leave the building, and you have direct contact with clinicians from the start.
- From here: predictable days, weekly updates, and a team your teen knows by name.
Coverage & cost
Does insurance cover teen residential treatment in Arizona?
Residential mental-health treatment is a covered behavioral-health benefit on most major private insurance plans. For Phoenix and Maricopa County families, Nexus Teen Academy verifies your exact private benefits, in-network or out-of-network, free and usually the same day, checks AHCCCS eligibility where it applies, then explains any out-of-pocket cost in plain English before you commit.
- 1You send your plan detailsTwo required fields. Member ID optional. Takes about a minute.
- 2We verify with your insurer directlyIn-network or out-of-network, free and confidential, usually the same day.
- 3You get the number in plain EnglishYour exact out-of-pocket cost, explained before you commit to anything.
- Meritain
- UMR
- + more
Out-of-network or unsure about your plan? Call anyway, cost should never be the reason a teen doesn't get help.
- Free benefits check
See exactly what your plan covers for residential self-harm treatment, free, confidential, no obligation.
After discharge
The aftercare plan that travels back to Phoenix with your teen.
Before discharge, your Nexus Teen Academy case manager builds the aftercare plan with you: step-down or outpatient care close to home in Phoenix, telehealth continuation, school re-entry coordinated with Phoenix Union or your home district, and a relapse-prevention plan, so progress holds once your teen is back in the city.
Answers
Teen self-harm treatment FAQs
The questions Phoenix families ask us most, answered plainly.
A licensed admissions counselor can answer it on the phone right now, no script, no pressure, and no obligation to enroll.
Talk to a counselorAnswered 24/7 at (480) 485-3424Centers & getting there
Closer than most families expect. Both residences sit inside the north Phoenix metro, the boys' home in North Scottsdale and the girls' home in Cave Creek, so families across Phoenix reach us in well under an hour. Admissions are answered 24/7.
Yes. We regularly admit teens from across Maricopa County, from Ahwatukee to the north Valley, and help coordinate the short drive and school transfer for any Phoenix-area family.
Teens recovering from self-harm tend to open up faster without the social pressure of a mixed group. Each residence is licensed for ages 12 to 17 and staffed around the clock.
Weekly family therapy, scheduled phone and video contact, and regular clinical updates keep you central. Because both homes are in the Valley, in-person family sessions are easy to attend.
Care & cost
Most commercial and private plans do when care is medically necessary. We verify your specific benefits directly and give you the numbers in plain language before you commit.
Cost depends on your plan, length of stay, and coverage. After a quick benefits check we walk you through what is covered and the likely out-of-pocket, with no surprise billing.
When cutting continues despite weekly therapy, when safety at home is hard to keep, or when depression, trauma, or substance use are stacking up, full-time care gives structure outpatient cannot.
Skills-based individual and group work paired with trauma-focused CBT and weekly family therapy has the strongest track record. We match the mix to what is driving each teen's behavior.
Most stays run several weeks, set by clinical progress rather than a fixed number. Every teen leaves with a written aftercare plan and a Phoenix-area therapist lined up before discharge.
Understanding self-harm
Not always. Much self-injury is a way to cope with unbearable feeling rather than an attempt to die, but the two can overlap, which is why every teen gets a formal risk screen at intake.
Unexplained cuts or burns, long sleeves in Arizona heat, hidden blades or lighters, withdrawal, and sudden drops in mood or grades. Trust your instinct and ask directly.
We treat cutting, burning, scratching, hitting, and other non-suicidal self-injury, along with the depression, anxiety, and trauma that so often come with it.
Admission & daily life
Often within a few days. Admissions calls are returned within 24 hours, usually within minutes. A counselor checks your insurance benefits and licensed clinicians complete an assessment, and if everything moves smoothly your teen can move in shortly after. A coordinator walks you through travel, paperwork, and the first day.
Yes. Nexus Teen Academy offers tours of the home by appointment, so you can see where your teen would live and ask the team your questions in person before you decide anything. Call admissions to schedule a tour at a time that suits your family.
Yes. Family therapy happens once a week and is typically followed by about an hour of visitation, and parents are expected to take part. After orientation, teens can call home during designated hours most days, and families can also join a weekly virtual Family Empowerment group with other parents.
No. Personal phones and other devices stay at home for the length of the stay. Teens use tablets for video calls with approved contacts and computers for schoolwork, so contact with family continues through approved channels while the focus stays on treatment.
School continues during treatment. Teens attend accredited, credit-bearing classes on site, and education supervisors help with coursework and stay in touch with families. Bring a copy of any 504 plan or IEP at admission, and before discharge the team plans a staged return to your teen's home school.
Pack about two weeks of clothes without laces or drawstrings, alcohol-free toiletries, and any prescribed medication in its original packaging with a current medication list. Bring a guardian ID, a copy of any 504 plan or IEP, and school books. Personal phones and school-issued tablets stay at home.
The statewide picture
Arizona teen mental health, by the numbers.
Teen self-harm has climbed right alongside the depression, anxiety, and trauma that drive it, and for many Phoenix families the wait for local adolescent care has only made the crisis harder to hold.

4 in 10
Arizona high-schoolers reported their mental health was not good most or all of the time.
3 in 10
Seriously considered suicide, and about 1 in 10 attempted.
97%
Rise in adolescent depression diagnoses in Arizona, 2016-17 to 2020-21.
55%
Rise in anxiety diagnoses over the same period.
Arizona’s 988 and Teen Lifeline lines meet the emergency, but a crisis call is stabilization, not ongoing treatment.
Residential care is the step between outpatient therapy and the hospital, the middle is what has been missing.
Sources: Arizona Department of Health Services, Adolescent Mental Health Report; Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2021); National Survey of Children’s Health.
Talk to an Arizona counselor, 24/7Teen group home care for Arizona families
A teen group home in Arizona, with treatment inside the house.
Searching for a teen group home in Arizona? Teens from across the state live at one of our two gender-separate homes in North Scottsdale and Cave Creek, each licensed by AZDHS as a behavioral-health residential facility, so the treatment happens inside the house, not somewhere else.
A typical group home
- Licensed for shelter and supervision
- Daily living and structure
- Supervision, not clinical treatment
Nexus homes
- AZDHS behavioral-health residential licence
- Daily therapy and psychiatric care
- Accredited school on site
Families from the Phoenix metro 9 cities
Families from Greater Arizona 6 cities
Teens from each of these cities are treated at our two homes in North Scottsdale and Cave Creek. We help with the drive or flight, and families join weekly therapy in person or by secure video.
Serving Phoenix
Teen self-harm treatment for Phoenix families, minutes from the Valley.
Both Nexus Teen Academy homes sit inside the Phoenix metro, minutes to a half-hour from most Phoenix neighborhoods, so admission and weekly family work stay close. Admissions answered 24/7.
Minutes from the Valley
From central Phoenix, the North Scottsdale and Cave Creek homes are typically 25 to 35 minutes northeast by the SR-51 and the Loop 101.
Telehealth & travel, handled
In-person family sessions are easy for Phoenix families, with secure telehealth as a backup, so a 25-to-35-minute drive up the SR-51 or Loop 101 never means dropping out of treatment.
Aftercare mapped to your community
A skills-trained outpatient therapist and step-down care arranged near home before discharge, plus school re-entry coordinated with Phoenix Union or your own district.
Nexus Teen Academy, Scottsdale · boys’ residence
Admissions 24/7
Nexus Teen Academy, Cave Creek · girls’ residence
Admissions 24/7

See a center on the map
Tap Cave Creek or Scottsdale below to load its interactive map right here.
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Explore each Nexus Teen Academy location
North Scottsdale, 85260 · off Loop 101
Saddle Mountain Rd, 85331 · 20 min north
Served from both centers
Travel, telehealth & aftercare
From the Nexus library
What parents read before they call us.
The newest articles from Nexus Teen Academy for parents weighing what comes next. This list updates itself every time a new article goes live.

Teen Xanax Addiction: Xanax Abuse in Teen Boys & Girls
The misuse of prescription drugs among teens continues to grow. According to recent statistics, 2.5% of 12- to 17-year-olds abuse prescriptions annually, while 7.1% of high
5 Best Self-Help Books for Teens
Adolescents often face significant academic, emotional, and social challenges. As you support them through the ups and downs
What to Do When Your Teen Refuses to Go to Treatment or Therapy
One of the most heartbreaking experiences a parent can undergo is watching their teenager struggle. It is even
Signs Your Teen Needs a Higher Level of Care Than Weekly Therapy
Teen mental health statistics can be worrying. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that roughly 49.5% of

How Caffeine Impacts Brain Development
Teens need roughly 8-10 hours of sleep for healthy brain development, which doesn’t always happen. For

Why Teen Boys With Trauma Often Target the Parent Who’s Trying Hardest to Help
Trauma and adverse childhood experiences can affect a child’s attachment, emotional regulation, and behavior toward caregivers.
Reading because something changed at home? Call (480) 485-3424 and talk it through with an Arizona admissions counselor. It is free, confidential and there is no obligation.
Every Nexus program, statewide
Find your teen’s program, wherever you live in Arizona.
Eleven conditions, one clinical team, and families from fifteen Arizona cities. Choose what your teen is struggling with, then see how care works for families from your area.
Nexus Teen Academy provides licensed residential treatment for teens aged 12 to 17 across eleven conditions: anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, substance use, ADHD, behavioral issues, oppositional defiant disorder and anger issues. Boys live at the North Scottsdale residence and girls at the Cave Creek residence. Teens from 15 Arizona cities and the rest of the state are treated at these two residences, with drive-time guidance, travel help and family therapy by secure video for families outside the metro.
Self-harm care, statewide
Teen self-harm treatment for families across Arizona
Teens from each city below are treated at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek residences. We walk families through the drive, school re-entry with your home district, and the questions parents from that area ask most.
Each condition leads to its Arizona guide, and the cities beside it show how care works for families from there.
Tell an admissions counselor what you are seeing at home, and they will say plainly which program fits.
Your city is not listed? We admit teens from anywhere in Arizona and from out of state. Call (480) 485-3424 and we will tell you which residence is closer and how the drive works.


